It may be the happiest time of the year, but don’t forget that some families still need help around Christmas time. Several local businesses are offering the chance to Adopt a Family this Christmas, by purchasing gifts or gift certificates that will go towards giving local families in need a Christmas. “It’s a really great way for the people in our community to get involved,” said organizer Mike Pecora. “We tend to forget, but there are people here who really do need help.”
The families will be chosen by the Golden Family Centre, and the Golden Women’s Centre, and will remain completely anonymous. And Sobeys and Overwaitea are donating food hampers and vouchers for a Christmas meal as well.
“The families will each have dinner at a local restaurant about a week before Christmas, and then Santa will deliver the gifts there. That way the parents can use the gift certificates and have stuff wrapped to go under the tree on Christmas,” said Pecora.
This is the third year the program has been running, and it is getting slightly bigger each year. Organizers are hoping to help between four and six families this year.
“The more we get, the more families can benefit from this. There’s no cap to it really,” said Pecora.
“It’s been a huge success so far. It keeps a family clothed and Christmased through local businesses. So everybody wins.”
